RAC

For our July imaging meeting, there was considerable interest in the new Quark h-alpha solar filter by Daystar and it’s possibilities, not just for solar imaging, but for visual observing as well. The discussion began with Phyllis Lang showing her new Quark Daystar h-alpha filter and explaining it’s specifications and performance.  Input was given by others in attendance with how it would be comparable to other brands of expensive h-alpha solar scopes on the market today. Next, images by our…

The presentation for the July meeting was an overview of Exoplanets given by club member Brian Reasor. The slide-talk and video pulled together Exoplanet topics such as how many are known to exist (1700+) and where they are located (mostly within 500 light years of our sun).

Several Raleigh Astronomy Club members supported the International Sun-Day events at the North of Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. At the start of the event (12 noon) the weather was not at all cooperative with almost 100% cloud cover.  However holes in the clouds began to appear by 2pm and by 3pm we started to get some solar observing in.  The sun was somewhat quite today without a lot of activity / sun spots.  By around 3:30 we were able…

For the May indoor meeting, RAC member Chris Cole had a very interesting presentation on the different planetary filters and their uses.  The presentation used images (from both Chris’ personal collection and NASA) to compare the effects of various filters including colored wratten, UV, and IR filters.  He also discussed what types of objects and conditions benefited from using these filters. Chris Cole had many of the filters he talked about and he demonstrated them to the audience. There were…

On Saturday, April 26, several astronomers from RAC and CHAOS traveled down to Camp Durant near Carthage, NC to support the Cub-aroo event for the Boy Scouts of America. The event including day and night time observing, as well as lectures. There were five astronomers for solar observing and lecturing, and three astronomers for night time observing. Despite being plagued with clouds, some good views of the Mars and Jupiter.

The regular indoor meeting on April 10 featured a great presentation from Matthew Goodson from the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Physics and Astronomy speaking on the formation of the Solar System. Matthew talked about the process for forming the solar system and about some of the work they are doing on this at UNC-Chapel Hill.

   The Raleigh Astronomy Club was to host 3 venues for the 2014 Statewide Star Party as part of the NC Science Festival.  Due to poor weather, events planned for Friday night were postponed to either Saturday night or later in the year.